(2020-03-16). Covid-19 is defining global health crisis of our time, WHO warns, as more deaths & cases reported in rest of world than in China. rt.com 
The coronavirus pandemic is the "defining global health crisis of our time," the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday, as the agency revealed that confirmed cases around the world have surpassed those within China. | WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the containment strategy spearheaded by China, South Korea and Singapore has shown results in helping to cut down the level of coronavirus cases. | As well as commending containment efforts in those Asian nations, WHO experts also emphasized the importance of increasing testing on a wider scale internationally, and warned that out…
(2020-03-16). US Health and Human Services faces cyber attack during coronavirus response — reports. rt.com 
The US Health and Human Services Department's computer system was reportedly hacked on Sunday night, with the National Security Council needing to step in and warn that news of a mass quarantine was fake news. | Three people "familiar with the matter" briefed Bloomberg on the hack and said the breach was meant to slow the department's system down in the middle of the coronavirus response. Though no major damage was done, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Donald Trump have been informed of the attack, which is said to have included several incidents. The National Security Council tweeted in response…
(2020-03-16). Coronavirus situation in France 'extremely worrying' & getting worse rapidly, top health official warns. rt.com 
French people should not underestimate the threat of the coronavirus since the situation in the country is already dire and likely to get worse fast, a senior health official has warned, adding that people need to stay home. | There are almost 5,500 confirmed coronavirus cases in France, with over 400 people in serious condition. The situation with the epidemic is "extremely worrying" with the epidemic moving very fast, senior health official Jerome Salomon said. | "The number of cases doubles every three days. I would like our fellow citizens to realize that there are hundreds of people who are sick, in inten…
(2020-03-16). Biden and Sanders push credentials to lead US against coronavirus. thecanary.co 
Former vice president Joe Biden and senator Bernie Sanders used Sunday's Democratic debate to cast themselves as best-positioned person to lead the United States through a global pandemic.In the latest debate in the race to decide the Democrats' nominee to run for president, the pair were united in their criticism of president Donald Trump's response to the coronavirus but diverged on how they would confront the spiralling public health and economic crisis.Biden pledged to deploy the US military to help with recovery efforts and warned a federal financial bail-out may be necessary to stabilise the economy.The two…
(2020-03-16). Getting Viral: Why COVID-19 is Such a Threat to the 60+ Plus Population and Why the Response May Make It Worse. counterpunch.org 
After looking at the demographics, virology, public health dimensions, and earlier parallels (e.g., the 1918 flu epidemic), it seems to me that this whole episode with COVID-19 is being handled incorrectly. This is partly due to Donald Trump's self-serving blunders, but not entirely.
(2020-03-16). Iran's death toll from Covid-19 increases to 853 — Health Ministry. rt.com 
Iran's death toll from the new coronavirus has reached 853, with 129 new deaths in the past 24 hours, according to the Health Ministry. | "In the past 24 hours we had 1,053 confirmed new cases of coronavirus and 129 new deaths," Alireza Vahabzadeh, a ministry official, tweeted on Monday. A total of 14,991 people have been infected across Iran, the official added. | To contain the outbreak in Iran, one of the deadliest outside of China, officials have called on people to stay at home. | "Based on the figures, we have past the peak of the outbreak, but I still suggest people stay at home, and in case of urgenc…
(2020-03-16). European Space Agency's Kourou spaceport SUSPENDS launches over coronavirus pandemic. rt.com 
The French space agency operating the ESA spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, has decided to suspend all launches, citing health concerns over the "rapid spread" of the deadly coronavirus epidemic. | France is currently struggling to stem the spread of the deadly disease officially known as Covid-19, which has already infected almost 4,500 nationwide. Its national space agency (CNES) has now joined the effort, by announcing it would "reorganize" the work of its four centers — including the Kourou spaceport located in the remote overseas territory of French Guiana. | COVID-19. Le CNES réorganise ses activi…
(2020-03-16). Foreign Office advises against travel to more than 30 countries. thecanary.co 
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has affected thousands of people across the globe as the World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported cases in 144 countries, territories or areas.As a result of Covid-19, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued travel advice warning people against visiting certain countries or areas due to restrictions or the risk of quarantine.FCO travel advice can range from advising against all travel to a whole country to recommending travellers seek advice before travelling to a particular area, based on how safe it is to visit.The guidance as of Monday morning advises against a…
(2020-03-16). Coronavirus: Downing Street announces daily TV briefings. thecanary.co 
Boris Johnson is to hold a televised press conference to update the public on the fight against coronavirus, as the UK moves towards banning mass gatherings and asking the elderly to stay at home more.The prime minister will chair an emergency meeting of the Cobra committee on Monday, before holding the first of a series of daily press conferences to update the public on Covid-19.It comes as there was confusion over exactly what elderly people will be asked to do, after health secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday they will be asked to stay at home for a very long time. | On Monday, transport secretary Grant Shap…
(2020-03-16). Coronavirus kills 7 in New York State, 950 test positive — governor. rt.com 
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed seven deaths in the state from Covid-19 and urged President Donald Trump to deploy army engineers to build emergency medical facilities to help ease the health burden caused by the virus.
(2020-03-16). Germany introduces border checks with 5 countries over coronavirus, still keeps broad-scale exemptions. rt.com 
The spread of the deadly coronavirus epidemic has forced Germany to introduce travel restrictions and enhance control over people's movements. But economic concerns are still high for Berlin. | On Monday morning, Germany imposed checks and suspended visa-free travel on its land borders with five nations: France, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark and Luxembourg. Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic have not been affected by the new restrictions so far. | From now on, foreigners crossing the border from any of the five nations in question must have "a valid reason to travel" or they will be denied…
(2020-03-16). India closes Taj Mahal, other monuments over coronavirus til end of month. rt.com India has closed the iconic Taj Mahal and other monuments to visitors, citing the coronavirus epidemic. The cultural sites will remain closed until the end of the month, the Culture Ministry announced.
(2020-03-16). European solidarity doesn't exist, only China can help us: Serbia goes full emergency over coronavirus. rt.com 
Caught off guard by the EU's ban on medical exports, Serbia found help in China as it struggled to prepare for the Covid-19 outbreak, the Serbian president said, adding that it has become clear that European solidarity is a myth. | Serbia is the latest country to impose severe restrictions on travel and public gatherings in response to the global epidemic. As President Aleksandar Vucic declared a national emergency on Sunday, he had some scalding remarks for the EU. | The crisis has proven that European solidarity, only exists "on paper," Vucic said, citing the ban on the export of medical equipment and suppli…
(2020-03-16). US Army Might Have Brought Epidemic to China: China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman's Tweet. globalresearch.ca 
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian wrote on his Twitter account on Thursday that the US military may have brought the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to Wuhan. | . | . | "CDC was caught on the spot. When did patient zero begin in …
(2020-03-16). Martial law is coming? Washington debunks hoax message about coronavirus telling Americans to stockpile everything in sight. rt.com 
Americans have been bombarded with fake messages stating that President Donald Trump will declare martial law in days. The government had to intervene to prevent a wave of panic. | The seemingly unstoppable spread of coronavirus has already led the government to declare a national emergency over the deadly disease that has so far claimed 41 lives nationwide, and infected more than 1,600 people across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). | However, certain unsavory characters apparently decided to exploit the already tense situation to stoke more fear in the hearts of…
(2020-03-16). Covid-19 vaccine: Difficult, uncertain and far-off, microbiologist says. rt.com 
A US company which worked on the development of a MERS virus vaccine has begun a clinical trial to test a Covid-19 vaccine — but similarities between the two don't mean the process will be easy, a microbiologist told RT. | The potential new coronavirus vaccine is being developed by Moderna Inc., which is building on previous work on MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) — a disease which originated in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and was also dubbed the 'camel flu' due to the fact that it is believed to have been spread to humans through the animal. | The first tests conducted by Moderna are focused on a…
(2020-03-16). "Something Is Wrong in America": Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor & Michael Eric Dyson Debate Sanders v Biden. democracynow.org 
Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders faced off in their first one-on-one debate Sunday night in the midst of an unprecedented national crisis, with 3,600 reported COVID-19 cases, 61 deaths so far, 33 states closing schools and mass shutdowns in major cities. The rivals clashed on how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, Medicare for All, the climate crisis, Joe Biden's record and whether or not the U.S. needs a revolution. We play highlights from the debate and get responses from scholars Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor and Michael Eric Dyson. Taylor is assistant professor of African-America…
(2020-03-16). 'I'll get better, I have enough toilet paper': Russian kite surfing champion laughs off contracting coronavirus. rt.com 
Russian kite surfing champion Peter Tyushkevich laughed off his coronavirus diagnosis, saying he has enough toilet paper to recover from the dangerous infection. | The 2009 world champion revealed he is infected by the contagious virus which has swept across the world. | "I have contracted coronavirus. Now, I'm in the infectious diseases hospital, please meet one of those Ru…
(2020-03-16). Coronavirus cardio: Watch as a Spanish fitness instructor holds rooftop keep-fit session for isolated residents in Seville (VIDEO). rt.com 
Residents at a Spanish apartment complex joined together from the safety of their own rooms as they took part in a mass fitness session conducted by an instructor on their roof. | With large parts of Spain currently on lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, many citizens are currently isolating themselves in their hopes to help reduce the spread of the highly-contagious disease. | Local fitness group Sano Sevilla Los Bermejale decided that they wanted to help give those housebound residents the chance to get up and get moving, as an instructor appeared on the roof of their central concourse building…
(2020-03-16). Big Pharma's Role: Destruction of Basic Health Care Worldwide, U.S. Sanctions Lead to Global Rise in Coronavirus. globalresearch.ca As COVID-19 (coronavirus) spreads, it is a clear reminder that germs and viruses don't respect national boundaries in an interconnected world. But the mainstream press has certainly not publicized how corporate capitalism and imperialism cross national boundaries to destroy people's …
(2020-03-16). Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor and Michael Eric Dyson Debate Sanders vs. Biden. truthout.org Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders faced off in their first one-on-one debate Sunday night in the midst of an unprecedented national crisis, with 3,600 reported COVID-19 cases, 61 deaths so far, 33 states closing schools and mass shutdowns in major cities. The rivals clashed on how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, Medicare for All, the climate crisis, Joe Biden's record and whether or not the U.S. needs a revolution. We play highlights from the debate and get respon…
(2020-03-16). Postponement of Signature Gathering for Voter Right to Decide on Downtown Parking Garage. indybay.org [March 13, 2020] To help reduce the serious risk of COVID-19 spreading in our community, the Campaign for Sustainable Transportation is postponing petition signature gathering to place on the ballot Santa Cruz city voters' right to decide on future construction of a parking garage downtown. CFST wants our community to thrive, and there is no more fundamental basis for the common good than public health. Each of us individually and all of us collectively must work to create a sustainable community and a sustainable planet. We will reevaluate how to proceed in light of developments as they unfold.
(2020-03-16). US capitalism's response to the pandemic: Nothing for health care, unlimited cash for Wall Street. wsws.org US President Trump announced another massive handout to the financial oligarchy Sunday night, even as congressional Democrats made clear they would offer no paid sick leave to workers affected by the pandemic.
(2020-03-16). UK government uses coronavirus pandemic to ready military in "public order" role. wsws.org Whatever role the military might have in providing logistical support to the health care services, its involvement in law enforcement is a grave warning to the working class.
(2020-03-16). Trump administration official admits coronavirus could kill millions in US. wsws.org The World Health Organization has declared Europe the new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, as more people have died outside China than within it.
(2020-03-16). Coronavirus Pushes Hospitals to Share Information on Stocks of Protective Gear. truthout.org Masks, gloves and other equipment are crucial as health care workers face the COVID-19 outbreak. There is a strategic national stockpile that the U.S. government controls — but no one knows what, beyond that stockpile, is available in the private sector. | Some hospitals have a surplus of the protective equipment and some not enough. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working on a system that would track the inventory across the U.S. | The big hurdle isn't the technolog…
(2020-03-16). The Democrats' Coronavirus Divide. commondreams.org Sanders is absolutely right that the current public-health crisis, and its economic aftershocks, expose the great vulnerability of our unequal, increasingly unjust society. (Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2020-03-16). Bangladesh government downplays COVID-19 threat as job losses mount. wsws.org While the Awami League government is seeking to aid industry owners, workers are bearing the brunt of the health crisis.
(2020-03-16). ILWU & Migrant Organizations Defend Grand Princess Crew & US Workers. indybay.org The Bay Area ILWU and migrant rights organizations joined together to support the Grand Princess crew health and safety as. well as the health and safety conditions of longshore workers and all port workers. They also discussed the fight of all working people to defend and protect their health and safety rights.
(2020-03-16). Why government payment for coronavirus testing is essential. nationofchange.org The cost of healthcare doesn't just protect the patient, but potentially it protects all of us from the spread of disease. Paying that cost should be a matter of social importance.
(2020-03-16). Social distancing is the best tool we have to fight the coronavirus. zcomm.org Source: The Conversation As the coronavirus spreads into more and more communities, public health officials are placing responsibility on individuals to help slow the pandemic. Social distancing is the way to do it. Geriatrician Thomas Perls explains how this crucial tool works. What is social distancing? Social distancing is a tool public health officials recommend
(2020-03-16). US Action in Addressing COVID-19. "Attributing Virus Deaths to the Flu" globalresearch.ca The US is following the same pattern with COVID-19 as with prior virus outbreaks. Downplay and understate initially, cover up the truth, flood the media with misinformation, then slowly release the true facts as necessary to maintain the narrative. | "Health …
(2020-03-16). Coronavirus outbreak: The German government was warned of the dangers of a looming pandemic and did nothing. wsws.org A risk analysis by the Robert Koch Institute eight years ago had already warned that inadequacies in Germany's health system could mean death for millions when confronted with a novel virus.
(2020-03-16). Coronavirus could lead to collapse of German healthcare system as early as May. wsws.org The number of people infected in Germany has tripled since Wednesday.
(2020-03-16). Toilet Paper Is the People's Vaccine. dissidentvoice.org The coronavirus panic has resulted in hordes of people running after toilet paper. Such actions are the flip side of running with the bulls, except that I suspect those who run with the bulls have some sense of why they do it. I imagine the thrill is a bit different, even if the goal is …
(2020-03-16). Trump Administration Seeks Exclusive Rights to Potential Coronavirus Vaccine. truthout.org German lawmakers and government officials voiced outrage at The German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, citing…
(2020-03-16). Coronavirus Vaccine Must Not Be Exclusive to U.S. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-03-16). The RNC Gave Massive Contracts to Companies Linked to its Chairwoman's Husband and Political Backers. truthdig.com The Republican National Committee has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to contractors closely connected to the organization's chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel. | One contract went to her husband's insurance company. Two others went to businesses whose executives recently donated to Ronna for Chair, a largely inactive political action committee that McDaniel controls. She had set it up in 2015, when she successfully ran for chair of the Republican Party in Michigan, her home state. | The companies won the contracts soon after McDaniel became the party's top official. She was picked for the position by President Don…
(2020-03-16). COVID-19: Is the United States Committing Economic Suicide? globalresearch.ca Houston, we have a problem. That problem is Covid-19 (named for Coronavirus disease 2019), first identified in Wuhan City, China. | Our government is taking actions which appear to be excessive and misguided, based on the concept of "cost versus benefits"….
(2020-03-16). "A Time to Rethink America": Sanders Sets Tone at Coronavirus Debate. truthout.org The final Democratic presidential debate of 2020 was a dispiriting affair for reasons that went far beyond the politics of it. The specter of COVID-19 lent a stark gloominess to the occasion, as did the seeming emptiness of the room itself: three CNN moderators, two men and the cameras. I never thought I'd miss a debate audience, but the energy was gone from that room, and the brightly lit set could not make up for it. | And then there's this: "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended…
(2020-03-16). Sanofi, Regeneron begin testing arthritis drug as coronavirus treatment. yenisafak.com Sanofi SA and partner Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc have started a clinical trial of their rheumatoid arthritis drug Kevzara as a treatment for the coronavirus, the companies said on Monday.Enrolments for the mid-to-late stage trial will begin immediately, and the companies anticipate the trial will test up to 400 patients.Kevzara is an infection-fighting protein known as monoclonal antibody.Regeneron in February announced a partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop a coronavirus treatment, and had said it would focus on monoclonal antibodies.
(2020-03-16). Regular exercise, sleep help combat COVID-19: Expert. yenisafak.com A balanced diet, regular exercise and getting enough sleep are important ways to combat the novel coronavirus, a medical expert said on Monday."It is very important to consume sufficient amounts of protein, especially those with high biological value such as milk, dairy products and eggs, to boost immunity," nutrition and dietetics expert Dr. Nevin Sanlier told Anadolu Agency.Sanlier, who is the dean of the Health Sciences Faculty at Ankara Medipol University, advised people to follow a balanced diet by consuming adequate amounts of dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese, meat, fish and poultry, eggs, nuts,…
(2020-03-16). Four asylum seekers apply to EU court for justice. yenisafak.com Four asylum seekers who were injured by Greek security forces along the Turkey-Greece border, applied to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), according to a health official on Monday.The asylum seekers applied to the ECHR through their lawyers, Ali Cengiz Kalkan, the provincial health director of northwestern Edirne province told Anadolu Agency.Kalkan added that other 25 asylum seekers who were also subject to the Greek violence are preparing to apply to the international court.Asylum seekers have been waiting on the Greek border for the last 18 days to cross through Edirne to reach Europe. Greek security f…
(2020-03-16). Trump sought to buy German firm for coronavirus vaccine. yenisafak.com German politicians slammed U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday for trying to buy a German pharmaceutical company which has been working on a possible vaccine for coronavirus."Germany is not for sale," Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said on Twitter, and added that the government was in contact with the Tuebingen-based company CureVac on this offer.The weekly Welt am Sonntag reported earlier that Trump offered $1 billion to CureVac but demanded that the company should develop the coronavirus vaccine "only for the United States".Foreign Minister Heiko Maas sharply criticized the U.S. president for trying to get "
(2020-03-16). Iran Tests 10 Million People for Coronavirus — Report. iranian.com With nearly 14,000 confirmed cases and more than 800 deaths, Iran has been one of the countries hardest hit by COVID-19. The country's medical response to the crisis has been complicated by crippling US sanctions, which have led to shortages of basic medical equipment, including protective facemasks. Iran's health authorities have screened over 10 million …
(2020-03-16). 'Together We Can' Bollywood's Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Nominated By WHO To Promote Clean Hands. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): In a step to promote cleanliness amid the global coronavirus pandemic, World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has introduced a 'safe hands' challenge, where he's been nominating several celebrities, urging them to post videos of the precautionary steps they are taking to fight coronavirus.
(2020-03-16). Coronavirus Business: US Brothers Donate 17,700 Bottles of Hand Sanitiser in Price-Gouging Scandal. sputniknews.com Public demand for hand sanitisers and antibacterial wipes has soared in the United States with the spread of COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus. Some dealmakers have sought to capitalise on the growing panic over the epidemic by buying up the products and reselling them at a fat profit.
(2020-03-16). Bitcoin Tumbles 15%, Mirroring Slumps of Global Markets. sputniknews.com Earlier, the US Federal Reserve System said that it lowered the target range for the federal funds rate to 0-0.25 percent in the wake of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
(2020-03-16). China Wants Iran Sanctions Lifted to Avoid Damage to 'Economy and People's Lives' Amid Pandemic. sputniknews.com BEIJING (Sputnik) – Beijing calls for lifting Iran sanctions as the Islamic republic fiercely struggles to combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
(2020-03-16). China Calls US Sanctions against Iran 'Immoral' amid Virus Epidemic. iranian.com China on Monday called on the US to remove its sanctions against Iran, saying that the embargoes will hamper the country's response to the coronavirus outbreak. The unilateral US sanctions will further hamper Iran's efforts in combating the virus while it's already struggling to cope with the crisis, Geng Shuang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry …